A 12-year-old New Zealander named Louis Corbett taught the Celtics a lesson in perspective before any of them took the floor last night.

Corbett suffers from a degenerative eye disease that is taking away his sight, and when asked by his parents what he wanted to see while his sight still is intact, he named such wonders as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. Another dream was to watch and meet his favorite basketball team.

Thanks to the efforts of Warren Casey, a Boston businessman who also does work in New Zealand, and Corinne Grousbeck, wife of Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck, enough money was raised to fly Corbett, his father Tim and brother Jerome to Boston. Two of Corbett’s brothers also suffer from the condition.

“A very happy kid,” Rajon Rondo said. “With everything he’s going through, there’s still a smile on his face. It’s very humbling. We all love what we do for a living, and at any moment it can be taken from you. Just don’t take anything you have for granted — whether it’s having both hands, whether it’s walking. Anything in life you have, you’re very blessed.”

Louis was also able to meet Rajon Rondo prior to the game in the Celtics locker room. While I know a lot of fans, readers, and the Celtics fans themselves wanted to win this one for Louis, from watching him speak earlier this week to Channel 5, he seems like a rather knowledgeable fan. Wouldn't be surprised to hear that he's aware that the loss actually helps the Celtics in the long run. Regardless, Louis got to sit next to the Celtics bench for the game. How many fans can say they have ever done that? And even less could say they were able to meet their favorite player in the locker room before the game. Despite the loss it was a special night at the TD Garden.